2 dead, 2 wounded in overnight shootings

September 25, 2008

Two people were killed and two others wounded in separate shootings that appeared gang-related within minutes of each other Wednesday night on the Southwest and West Sides.

About 10:30 p.m., a 30-year-old man was shot in the head and killed, Chicago police said early Thursday. He was later identified by the Cook County medical examiner's office as Raymond Johnson, whose home address was unavailable.

Another victim, a 23-year-old man, was reported in serious condition at Stroger Hospital with a bullet wound to his neck.

An unidentified gunman approached the victims on foot in the 700 block of North Harding Avenue, police said. They said the shooting might have been gang-related, but could not say why.

Shortly before that shooting, two males were shot at a gas station in the 5300 block of South Kedzie Avenue.

Ramon Franco, 42, of the 3300 block of West 62nd Street, was pronounced dead at 12:11 a.m. at Mt. Sinai Hospital, according to the medical examiner's office.

The other victim, believed to be a 16-year-old boy, was shot in the left leg and was last reported in stable condition at Holy Cross Hospital.

When the victims' assailants approached, police said, at least one of them yelled gang slogans and opened fire on the victims.